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HOW TO GET RID OF WOODPECKERS

Contact us for professional Woodpecker removal, control, and clean-up services. We also offer coaching services and products for a fee. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, check out the suggested techniques below.

    How to Get Rid of Woodpeckers # 1 -Video

    How to Get Rid of Woodpeckers # 2 -Video

    INFORMATION

  1. Why do we want to keep Woodpeckers Around?

    Woodpeckers are excellent for the environment, they clean up insects that bore into trees and bugs that ravage your garden, too (like grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, beetles, etc.); woodpeckers help to prevent infestations of these bugs in trees and homes. They also create holes in trees for other animals who wouldn't have been able to do so on their own, this allows animals like owls, songbirds, squirrels, opossums, snakes, etc. to nest in the tree whereas without the woodpecker, the process may have taken hundreds of years. Some species of the woodpeckers are going extinct, meaning that this bird IS protected by federal law.

  2. Why do we get rid of Woodpeckers?
    How do you feel when being woken up by the sound of a machine gun at 5 am? If the sound of a woodpecker is driving you crazy, remember: they're either hunting for insects that may be in your home, making a nest, trying to attract a mate, or just doing what they do (people talk, woodpeckers drum). The primary reason to want to get rid of woodpeckers, unless you suffer from ornithophobia, is because of the loud drumming sounds they make on wood, metal, soffit, vents, and various other things. Woodpeckers usually come in pairs so if you have one, it's likely that you actually have two. They are also very territorial and have been known to remove the nests and eggs from other birds away from their 'area'. You do have to remember though, that woodpeckers are FEDERALLY PROTECTED, so you can't just 'get rid of them'. Removal requires special licensing that is not easy to attain, a professional in your area can help you, however.

  3. Obtaining a Permit to Remove Woodpeckers

    Permits are NOT easy to get ahold of. The government is very particular about who can receive them; we are capable of helping you get a permit and can then help you remove the woodpecker for a fee. If you insist on doing the job yourself, you will have to research exactly what permit you will need, what agency can give it to you, and how you can obtain it.
  4. PROBLEMS CAUSED BY WOODPECKERS

    1. Woodpeckers drill into stucco and siding and drum on metals; this can be very annoying
    2. Woodpeckers can't be exterminated or removed without special permits
    3. Loss of sleep
    4. Annoyance
    5. Opening up holes for other animals to nest in trees and get into your home
    6. Woodpeckers like to roost on walls and stucco and make a mess
    7. Woodpeckers are most active during the spring and summer but are still active year round
  5. KILL OR KEEP ALIVE?
    DON'T KILL WOODPECKERS. It is illegal to kill most woodpeckers, they're protected. All of our techniques are to remove the woodpeckers and relocate them without harming or killing them. Woodpeckers are federally protected because they are migratory, non-game birds and killing them without being in possession of the correct permits will result in a very hefty fine. We do advise you to follow your local laws when dealing with all animals.

    Steps to getting rid of Woodpeckers:

    1. Why We Want to Keep Woodpeckers Out
    2. While woodpeckers are helpful in creating areas for other animals to nest in trees, they can also create entrances for these animals, and others, into your home or business. Bats, mice, squirrels, rats, raccoons, and insects can use holes drilled by woodpeckers to gain entrance to walls, attics, and other places inside of a structure. Not to mention that woodpecker holes are NOT aesthetically pleasing (unless you like the Swiss cheese look).

    3. When to Get Rid of Woodpeckers
    4. If you've realized that there’s a woodpecker on your property and he's become a nuisance, then you want to get the woodpecker to leave as soon as you can WITHOUT causing them harm. You want to protect your home from the damage they can do and from infestations from bats, mice, squirrels, etc.

    5. Getting Rid of Woodpeckers and Preventing their Damage
    6. When getting rid of woodpeckers, it is important to use special heavy duty metal or screens. You can also you Taste deterrents (we sell one called Woodpecker Stop) and sight deterrents such as shiny whirligigs or other decorations.

    7. Places to Check for Woodpecker Entrances
    8. The most common places for woodpecker entrances are up high along soffit, dormers, wood roofs and chimneys. The holes shouldn't be too hard to spot.

    9. Blocking a Woodpeckers Entrance
    10. It is very important to block a woodpecker's entrance. You need to be able to stop THEM from coming and going and OTHER animals like bats, mice, raccoons, etc. from entering your home later on.

    11. How to Identify Woodpeckers Droppings
    12. Woodpecker droppings are white and usually have a slight curve at one end. You might be able to identify berries, ants, or other insects in the poop. You can locate woodpecker droppings most often underneath their nest.

    13. Information about Woodpeckers Droppings
    14. The contents inside of a woodpecker's feces will vary during the year.

    15. Cleaning up Woodpeckers Feces
    16. Decontaminate the area first, then you should easily be able to remove it with gloves and a shovel.

    HOW TO

    1. How to Get Rid of Woodpeckers on the House

      Woodpeckers love to drill holes into stucco, siding, roofs, dormers, and other areas on homes and other buildings. They will also use metal vents, brick, and anything else they can to drum (this is like a song) and call for a mate. When dealing with woodpeckers on your house, it's important that you spray the Woodpecker Stop control mix where the birds are drilling so that they will leave. You can also use visual deterrents like whirligigs, owl decoys, and aluminum foil; continuous noise and sounds can also be used to scare a woodpecker away. We also offer over the phone coaching to help you get rid of woodpeckers on your home for a fee.

    2. How to Get Rid of Woodpeckers in the Attic

      Woodpeckers will nest inside of attics after drilling their way inside. This can lead to quite a mess, and they can also start to drill holes inside of your home. One way vents are the best way to remove woodpeckers, they allow the bird to leave the home but not to come back in. If you find a nest inside your attic, remember that ALL woodpeckers, that includes eggs and chicks, are federally protected. The nest needs to be treated for bird mites and properly removed. Be sure to repair and block off any entrances the woodpecker had into the attic so that other birds, bats, mice, etc. can't use the hole to gain entry also.

    3. How to Get Rid of Woodpeckers in the Chimney

      To have a woodpecker in your chimney is a rare occurrence. Sometimes they will fall down but usually they will just drill outside, though it may be ON the chimney. If a woodpecker has fallen down your chimney, remember that they are a protected bird and use heavy duty gloves to carefully pick them up and release them outside. You'll know a woodpecker is inside of the chimney if you hear the sound of a hammer-drill, if this is the case it is better to call a professional on our site.

    4. How to Get Rid of Woodpeckers in Walls

      Usually when woodpeckers get into a wall we have to set up a one way vent where they can get out and not back in, this is called a Woodpecker Vent. We also use Woodpecker Stop, a special three part mix to repel the birds. Both of these items are available for purchase. Remember that other animals may use woodpecker holes to gain entry to your home so sealing these holes and entrances is vital.

    5. How to Get Rid of Woodpeckers in the Vents of the House

      If a vent has easy access to an attic woodpeckers will take advantage of it. The easiest way to deal with this is a one way vent that will allow the bird to leave but not to come back. Remember to be careful of any eggs or babies that may be in the area because they are also federally protected.

    6. How to Get Rid of Woodpeckers on your Porch

      If woodpeckers are taking a bite out of your porch the best solution is a taste deterrent. We do sell one called ‘Woodpecker Stop’ that is very effective. You can also use the visual deterrents like aluminum, owl decoys, and shiny whirligigs to scare away the woodpecker. Loud noises that keep the bird from getting comfortable in any one area may also be helpful in getting rid of woodpeckers.

    7. What to do if a Woodpecker flies into a window and is knocked unconscious?

      This happens from time to time but is uncommon. If you find a woodpecker unconscious or saw it hit a window, it's best to leave it alone or gently lift it from the area and place it near its nest.

    How to Get Rid of Woodpeckers # 3 -Video

    Examples of Woodpecker Damage -Video

    SOLUTIONS

    If you are content with living with woodpeckers on your property but don't want them on your house, you may want to consider placing woodpecker houses or boxes in areas where the woodpeckers can live without damaging your home (we have these available for sale starting at $150).

    NEED HELP GETTING RID OF WOODPECKERS?

    If you are having problems, or don't want to deal with the woodpeckers yourself after reading this article, please give us a call at 1-888-488-7720, you can also contact us through email. You can also call one of the technicians from your area and they can help you figure out a solution. REMEMBER: Woodpeckers can be dangerous and working with them can be very complicated; it's best to hire a professional. Check out our YouTube channel and our website, AllstateAnimalControl.com, or use other Google resources to help you solve your problem. We do offer coaching solutions. Please send digital photos of your problem and we can coach you over the phone and ship you products for a fee.